“You aren’t firing her,” Falcon says.
I shake my head, I know I’m not. “Nope, this isn’t just his company.”
We never complain about who he hires, yet he seems to have a problem with who we hire. Not happening. We respect him, but some choices aren’t his to make. Even if he thinks they are.
“She’s a brunette, isn’t she?” He laughs, knowing full well my type.
“Fuck off,” I say, throwing my stapler at him as he disappears out my door.8EliceaI’m dressed as a sexy clown—a fucking clown. Clowns scare the absolute shit out of me yet here I am walking around dressed like one. My coat does nothing to hide the fishnet stockings, nor does the makeup that covers my face do a good job at hiding who I am. People stare as I walk to work, some look longer than is acceptable. I guess that’s what happens when you’re dressed like a fucking clown. Johnny is dressed similarly, triangles painted over his eyes, and he looks even more ridiculous in spandex with no shirt. He’s smoking when I step up to him, he almost chokes on his cigarette as he looks at me, then he laughs.
“I really thought if they asked you to dress up, you’d say no.”
I shrug, then hug the coat closer to my body. “I need the job.” It’s my only comeback because it’s true. I need the work desperately and the money even more.
“Well, you look hot as shit. Are you ready for the day?”
Looking around, I notice limousines parked out the side. Standing next to him, I go to ask why they’re there during the day when the giggle of a girl catches my eye. She’s getting out of one of the limos and behind her is a man who’s blindfolded. Then behind him is another girl. They go in through the entrance, and they’re laughing and touching him the whole time.
“What is it? What’s happening?”
“The Crimson Circus.” The smoke in his fingers drops to the ground as he loops his hand through mine, pulling me inside the club. It’s not what I expected. It’s usually dark and red. Instead the place is bright and colorful. A stage is set up with dancers, some on the stage and some hanging from the rafters on silks spinning in the air. They’re all dressed similarly to what I have on, but some more revealing than others. Some are merely wearing glitter nipple covers with a glitter G-string, others have slightly more coverage.
Johnny places his finger under my jaw, lifting it up. “It’s remarkable when you first see it, I know.” He pulls me along behind him to the bar area.
The whole place is vivid with color, the only people that aren’t dressed in brilliant, bright colors are the men, who are all sitting around the dance floor. Some in chairs with women dancing on their laps. The music is fun and not intimate like it usually is. It kind of reminds me of a carnevale atmosphere with the costumes, music and the way they have the club set up in an almost baroque style.
“It’s remarkable.” My voice drops in pitch as Creed appears on the other side of the bar. My hands become sweaty, and I try to look anywhere but at him. I still don’t know how I feel about him turning up at my house, or how I feel about him being at the club at the same time I was. He could have been there for any reason, but I didn’t want to know and chose to walk away instead. You shouldn’t get involved with your boss, everyone knows that. I’ve never had a job that pays this good, and it’s not one I want to fuck up by having any sort of feelings involved. So my fake smile touches my lips, my teeth which are perfect thanks to years of braces show before I open my mouth to speak. “Creed, how are you?”
Not giving him an option to reply, I walk away, heading straight to my first customer.
Two men step up to Creed when I’m pouring the customer a drink, and after I finish serving, I turn to notice all three men staring at me. Creed’s eyes are the most intense, they cause an intense shudder inside me and I have to look away. I’m not sure if it’s what’s behind the stare that scares me the most or just the intensity of it. Either way, it’s not something I want to continue.
“Elicea, is it?” The voice is strong, his hair sun-kissed. Did they make these men in a factory? Honestly, they are all so damn handsome. Then I realize he is the same man that was with Creed that first night, I remember seeing him but he didn’t imprint in my mind like Creed.